The crates market size is estimated to be worth USD 5,692.0 million in 2024 and is anticipated to reach a value of USD 8,557.2 million by 2034. Sales are projected to rise at a CAGR of 4.2% over the forecast period between 2024 and 2034. The revenue generated by crates in 2023 was USD 5,496.1 million.
Crates with sizes 11 Kg to 50 kg are used to a large extent in food, beverages, pharmaceuticals, electronics and automotive industries, capturing a market share of 49.9% in 2024 in the crates market. This rise is amid its ideal balance weight and strength which offers ease in handling and also carries considerable loads. These crates are generally made from robust materials which provides enough durability for rigorous storage and transport.
Crates Industry Forecast
| Attributes | Key Insights |
|---|---|
| Historical Size, 2023 | USD 5,496.1 million |
| Estimated Size, 2024 | USD 5,692.0 million |
| Projected Size, 2034 | USD 8,557.2 million |
| Value-based CAGR (2024 to 2034) | 4.2% |
Among multiple product types, stackable crates have captured a dominant market share of 48.3% in the crates market in 2024. This is due to the ability of these crates to be stacked one above the other, offering a sturdy structure and occupying less space during storage and transport. These properties prevent the cases of crates collapsing, resulting in efficient handling and storage systems.
The crates market involves multiple sales channels for the distribution of crates which include direct sales, wholesalers/distributors, retail stores and online marketplaces. Distributors/ wholesalers are anticipated to lead the sales channel segment in the crates market and account for 44.0% of the market share in the upcoming years.
This is due to their wider distribution network and relationships that enable them to distribute crates efficiently across various regions. Also, they offer bulk purchasing that can lower costs for manufacturers and end-users.
The crates market is poised for profitable growth at a CAGR of 4.2% during the forecast period. It is projected to create an incremental opportunity of USD 3,061.1 million and is predicted to rise 1.6 times the current value through 2034.
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The below table presents the expected CAGR for the global crates market over several semi-annual periods spanning from 2024 to 2034.
| Particular | Value CAGR |
|---|---|
| H1 | 4.0% (2023 to 2033) |
| H2 | 4.4% (2023 to 2033) |
| H1 | 3.9% (2024 to 2034) |
| H2 | 4.5% (2024 to 2034) |
In the first half (H1) of the decade from 2023 to 2033, the business is predicted to surge at a CAGR of 4.0%, followed by a slightly higher growth rate of 4.4% in the second half (H2) of the same decade. Moving into the subsequent period, from H1 2024 to H2 2034, the CAGR is projected to decrease slightly to 3.9% in the first half and remain relatively moderate at 4.5% in the second half.
In the first half (H1) the market witnessed a decrease of 10 BPS while in the second half (H2), the market witnessed an increase of 10 BPS.
Global Pharmaceutical Industry Growth to Drive the Market
The flourishing e-commerce industry creates a huge demand for storage and transport crates. Crates have become very important in this process as they offer durable, versatile options for moving goods from warehouses directly to the customers.
Other products in the online shops include electronics and groceries, and they have to be put in particular packaging so that they can reach their destinations without damage. The ability of crates to be customized in various shapes and dimensions Different crate sizes and dimensions enable efficient stacking and organization for fragile products. This leads to better utilization of the warehouse space available and safe shipping.
The global retail e-commerce revenue is estimated to reach up to USD 8.1 trillion by 2026, as per the study from E-commerce Tips. In addition, the growth of online retailing-which includes both online and physical sales-continues to drive up crate demand.
Because efficient packaging for multichannel sales sustains product integrity and satisfies customers. This rapid growth of online shopping emphasizes even greater reliance on crates as an effective storage and transportation method for the dynamic needs of the e-commerce sector.
Rising EV Demand Boosts Crate Usage for Logistics
The demand for crates is escalating rapidly with the ascending global demand for electric vehicles majorly from automotive and battery supply chains. As output volumes of EVs build up, manufacturers are asking for practical logistics solutions for transporting components such as batteries and motors.
The sale of electric cars went up by 25% as compared to the 2023 first half and will reach USD 17 million by the end of 2024, in accordance with the data from the International Energy Agency. Crates are used for safely moving the delicate automotive parts used in EV vehicles as they have the potential to lower the chances of damage in transportation.
To avoid rising shipping costs and better fuel efficiency, manufacturers are focusing more on lighter yet stronger designs. The more complex the supply chain in EVs becomes, standardized crates serve to offer better inventory management with operations streamlined. Therefore, an overall growing demand for EVs is propelling the crate's demand for safe storage and transport of automotive parts.
Regulatory Compliance Challenges May Strain the Crates Market
Strict regulations regarding packaging waste lead to significant costs and obstacles for companies in the global crate market. Since governmental and environmental organizations are increasingly strengthening their rules in line with sustainability such materials to be recyclable or biodegradable, this automatically adds to production costs.
In order to comply with these regulations, the end price of crates is increased as it requires additional investment for procuring recyclable, biodegradable materials and technologies. Additionally, the need for compliance also leads to innovation with sustainable packaging solutions which again incur high costs.
This attempt to make environmental consciousness crates might impact profit margins and operational efficiency, consequently causing hindrance to the growth of the crates market over the forecast period.
Principal Consultant
The global crates market recorded a CAGR of 2.1% during the historical period between 2019 and 2023. Market growth of crates was positive as it reached a value of USD 5,946.1 million in 2023 from USD 5,053.6 million in 2019.
The crates market is experiencing growth due to its increased usage for organized storage solutions in food, beverages, medical, cosmetics and personal care, electronics and automotive industries.
Crates are used for safeguarding fragile items such as glass and related products from damage during transit. These crates are known for the safe transport of perishable and non-perishable items in desired conditions to their respective destination.
Plastic crates are preferred over other materials because of their cost effectiveness, ability to be molded as per the demand from consumer and easy-to-handle benefits over metal and wooden crates. Plastic material is expected to create a valuation of USD 5,762.2 million at a growth rate of 3.8% over the assessment period.
Plastic material consists of HDPE and LDPE variants, offering crates as per the requirements of diverse end use industries.
Crates find applications across various industries due to the need for effective storage of goods with maximum space efficiency. Crates with sizes 11 Kg to 50 Kg are utilized more because of their suitability for a wide array of products, from beverages to industrial parts, enhancing their utility across different sectors.
Due to these advantages of crates for catering organized and secured packaging solutions, crate manufacturers are focusing on research and development to introduce crates with improved sustainability rates, improved features and ease of handling.
Tier 1 firms are market leaders who generate over USD 50 million in revenue annually and hold a substantial 12%-18% market share in the worldwide market. These industry leaders stand out for having a large product variety and a high production capacity. These industry giants stand out for having a wide geographic reach, a wealth of production experience in a variety of package styles, and a strong customer base.
They offer a variety of services, such as recycling and manufacturing, using state-of-the-art equipment, according to legal requirements, and offering the best possible quality. Among the well-known businesses in tier 1 are Myers Industries, IPL Plastics Inc., Schaefer Plastics North America, LLC, Tosca Ltd, Orbis Corporation, Schoeller Allibert, and Rehrig Pacific Company.
Mid-size businesses with annual revenue between USD 1 and USD 50 million that are based in certain areas and have a significant impact on the local market are considered Tier 2 enterprises. They are distinguished by having a significant international presence and in-depth industry expertise.
These market participants may not have cutting-edge technology or a broad worldwide reach, but they do guarantee regulatory compliance and have good technology. Among the well-known businesses in tier 2 are NEFAB GROUP, Alcomij, Monoflo International, Green Processing Company Inc., Craemer Group, Creopack Packaging, TranPak Inc, Peninsula Plastics Company Inc. and others.
Tier 3 includes most small enterprises operating locally and serving certain industries with less than USD 1 million in revenue. Due to their specialization in serving the demands of the local market, these companies are classified as belonging to the tier 3 sharing sector.
They only operate on a small scale and within a limited geographic area. Within this specific context, Tier 3 is categorized as an unstructured market, denoting an industry that is significantly less formalized and structured than its organized rivals.
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The section below covers the future forecast for the crates market in terms of countries. Information on key countries in several parts of the globe, including North America, Latin America, East Asia, South Asia and Pacific, Western Europe, Eastern Europe and MEA is provided.
Canada is anticipated to remain at the forefront in North America, with a CAGR of 5.1% through 2034. In Middle East & Africa, Other GCC is projected to witness a CAGR of 7.0% by 2034.
| Countries | Value CAGR (2024 to 2034) |
|---|---|
| USA | 3.6% |
| Germany | 3.4% |
| China | 5.0% |
| UK | 3.6% |
| Spain | 4.9% |
| India | 3.7% |
| Canada | 5.1% |
The crates industry in India is projected to grow at a CAGR of 3.7% compared to other countries in the South Asia and Pacific region by 2034.
According to Indian Brand Equity Foundation, agricultural exports from India have reached USD 53.12 billion last year, with a projected value by 2025 worth USD 24 billion. All these agricultural growths call for increased crates demand as transportation and storage of these perishables require efficiency.
With high production of fruits, vegetables, and milk products, there is an increased need for strong packaging solutions to avoid damage and wastage in transports. To be precise, crates are safe, stackable, reusable and help preserve delicate items. Besides, the trend toward organized retail and exports fuels the demand for standardized crates that enhance the ease of supply chain efficiency in this dynamic sector.
The building and construction industry offers a lot of opportunities for the crates market due to the necessity for protective packaging solutions for safe transport and handling of products The country is anticipated to record a CAGR of 3.6% during the evaluation period.
The rise in population in USA has resulted in augmented construction of residential and commercial buildings such as homes, schools, hospitals, and shopping malls. This growth asks for the demand for crates, mainly used to transport building materials and equipment.
The number of construction establishments surpassed 919,000 in the first three months in USA, as per the study from The Associated General Contractors of America, Inc. All these result in high material handling requirements, therefore, crates ensure safe and efficient logistics.
Shipping crates keep the commodities secure during shipment and keep them organized and securely kept on-site, hence maintaining a smooth flow of operations.
This, combined with the fact that the construction industry is likely to continue growing from here, means that there will be an increasing demand for such sturdily built and highly efficient crates, which shall be absolutely indispensable within the larger construction system for the USA in the longer run.
The section contains information about the leading segments in the industry. In terms of material, plastic is estimated to account for a share of 67.3% by 2034. By end use, the food & beverages segment is projected to dominate by holding a share of 45.9% by the end 2034.
| Material | Plastic |
|---|---|
| Value CAGR (2034) | 3.8% |
Among multiple materials used for making crates, plastic is expected to lead crates market during the assessment period. Plastic is anticipated to rise at a CAGR of 3.8%, and hold for 67.3% of the total market share till the end of 2034.
Although crates are made from several materials like plastic, wood and metal. Plastic crates are chosen more often rather than other materials for their flexibility, durability, and low cost. Its lightweight reduces shipping costs and can be easily managed providing efficient logistics. Plastic crates can be molded into particular shapes and sizes allowing customized fulfilment for many applications.
These crates can also be designed into different product types such as stackable crates and nestable crates. Such crates don’t occupy much space, offering space-efficient packaging solutions. As these crates possess the ability to be cleaned and sanitized every time after and before use, they have gained high demand from industries requiring hygienic practices.
Plastic crates generally require high investment at the time of purchase, but their durability offers long term cost saving benefits. Crates made from plastic are chosen over wooden crates because of its resistance to moisture, rots and pests, making them suitable for safe food storage and transport. These factors are expected to boost the demand for plastic crates in the assessment period.
| End Use | Food & Beverages |
|---|---|
| Value CAGR (2034) | 4.0% |
The food & beverages segment among other end users like pharmaceuticals, cosmetics and other industries are estimated to dominate the crates market with a CAGR of 4.0% over the forecast period.
The use of crates, in the food and beverages market, highly shows efficiency, sustainability, and safety. The primary reason for its high usage is its strong solution for transporting perishable goods to ensure maximum ventilation and prevent as much spoilage as possible. Due to its modular nature, it can easily be stacked in order to maximize space when stored and transported, which is very important for supply chain efficiency.
More, the crates are made of hard, strong material so can be reused, focusing on sustainability. This minimizes waste compared to single-use packaging and has more implications for the circular economy. Moreover, uniformity makes it easier to handle the inventory and assures that goods can be easily seen during transit and in the sale environment.
Crates minimize damage to delicate goods, especially bottles or fruits. Ergonomic shapes make it easier to manipulate, making them manageable to lift and stack when carrying heavy loads and transporting them from one place to another. Thus, the strategic use of crates maximizes operations, promotes sustainability, and makes sure the products are safe and are anticipated to gain impetus demand over the forecast period.
Leading companies in the crates market are creating and introducing new goods to the market. They are expanding their geographic reach and merging with other companies. Few of them are also working together to develop new products in partnerships with start-up businesses and regional brands.
Key Developments in Crates Market
Crates are available in several size including less than 10 Kg, 11 to 50 Kg and above 50 Kg.
Various materials used for making crates include plastic, metal and wooden. The plastic segment is further categorized into HDPE, PP and others.
The global crates market include multiple product types such as nestable, stackable and collapsible.
Sales channel in global crates market are direct sales, distributors/wholesalers, retail stores, and online marketplaces.
End users related to crates market are food & beverages, pharmaceutical & medical devices, automotive parts, agriculture & allied industries, building & construction, logistics & transportation and other industries. The food & beverages segment in further divided into fruits & vegetable, dairy products, meat, poultry, seafood, confectionary and others.
Key countries of North America, Latin America, East Asia, South Asia and Pacific, Western Europe, Eastern Europe, Middle East and Africa are covered.
The crates industry is projected to witness CAGR of 4.2% between 2024 and 2034.
The global crates industry stood at USD 5,496.1 million in 2023.
Global crates industry is anticipated to reach USD 8,557.2 million by 2034 end.
Middle East & Africa is set to record a CAGR of 5.2% in assessment period.
The key players operating in the crates industry are Myers Industries, IPL Plastics Inc., Schaefer Plastics North America, LLC, Tosca Ltd, Orbis Corporation, Schoeller Allibert, and Rehrig Pacific Company.
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Crates Market
